Economic Development and Winds of Change

The German steel corporation Thyssenkrupp is coming to Alabama. The announcement was made on Friday morning. This is big--the kind of thing that can transform an entire region of the state, and I'm excited about it! Lydia doesn't quite understand why I'm so excited about this. After all, we won't even be here. And I ask myself: Does economic development guarantee an improved spiritual climate in an area? As a minister, shouldn't I be more interested in promoting Jesus than in developing jobs? Thyssenkrupp is prepared to invest $3.7 billion to develop a manufacturing facility in northern Mobile County, very close to the Washington County line. Tu build the facility, 29,000 temporary construction jobs will be available. Once the facility is built, 2700 permanent jobs, paying between $50,000 and $65,000 a year will be provided. Over 50,000 peripheral jobs will also result as a direct or indirect benefit of the plant. While Mobile and Mobile County will benefit most directly, all the counties in southwest Alabama will feel the effects. In addition, other economic development projects may be about to transform Mobile and southwest Alabama from a sleepy, mostly rural culture into a truly bustling 21st-century hotbed of economic activity in several areas. No, economic development does not guarantee spiritual development; but the two don't have to be mutually exclusive, either. I am currently facing the prospect of perhaps having to leave the ministry because my church is unable to continue paying my salary. Clearly, the economic well-being of any area is important for the establishment and perpetuation of strong, mission-minded churches. Affluence can definitely undermine a sense of dependence on the Lord; but vigorous evangelism and church growth is not likely to flourish in areas that are thinly populated and where economic survival is difficult. There is always a "down" side to economic development. A way of life will be gone forever in parts of Mobile and Washington County. There will be growing pains and dislocation. But no community, neighborhood, church, region, or nation can stand still. I'm excited because it is all too obvious that southwest Alabama desperately needs transformation and economic development. The young people need to know that jobs will be available. The rural areas need to grow in order to have access to better roads and other advances and technology of the 21st century. With more population and income, medical facilities, education, and recreational opportunities will improve. Will the spiritual climate improve? Will the churches become more vigorous? That, of course, is an open question. But the opportunity for church growth will exist as never before. Will the Presbyterian and reformed faith gain new adherents? That remains to be seen; but at least, there will be plenty of newcomers and additional resources to make it happen. The Presbyterian churches and the denominational leadership should be preparing now to make the future as exciting for the church as it will be for the newly hired workers at Thyssenkrupp! Are we up to the task?